Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$16992 CSP
$22032 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025
Applications open April 2025

Overview

Deepen and broaden your knowledge and expertise of Western culture within a structured and integrated humanities masters-level course. Centred on a ‘great books’ or ‘canonical’ approach to the study of Western culture, studying this course will help you to develop a transnational, interdisciplinary and historically grounded perspective to the literature, music, philosophy and works of art that have achieved the status of ‘classics' within the Western world.

You will study major works of history, literature, philosophy, and art and be guided in small group seminar-style discussions by academic staff with wide-ranging, interdisciplinary expertise.

Thanks to the generous provision of a Philanthropic Agreement between ACU and the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, up to ten (10) master's scholarships are available for eligible students undertaking this degree annually, valued at $48,000 ($32,000 per year for 1.5 years when studying full time). Students eligible for a scholarship will be selected by a committee comprising senior ACU and Ramsay Centre staff.

Apply now for the Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation) or register your interest and our AskACU team will get in touch with more information.

Limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available.

Discover ACU's Western Civilisation Program. 


Careers

The Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation) gives you skills that can be applied in any industry including:

• secondary and tertiary education

• commerce and business administration

• management

• research assistance

• journalism

• politics and public policy

• public service in government and non-government organisations.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1 - 20 cp Research Project Units option

  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV500Dialogues with Ancient Thinkers10 cp
  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV501Medieval Encounters10 cp
  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV600Slow Reading in Wisdom: Interpretation and Research Methods10 cp
  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV601Myriad-Minded Shakespeare10 cp
  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV502Tragic Vision10 cp
  • Specified Western Civilisation UnitsWCIV503Enlightenment Imagination and Romantic Reason10 cp
  • Research Project UnitsWCIV605Introduction to the Research Task10 cp
  • Elective Units Elective Unit10 cp

Commencing Semester 1 - 30 cp Research Project Units option

Commencing Semester 2 - 20 cp Research Project Units option

Commencing Semester 2 - 30 cp Research Project Units option

Commencing Semester 1 - 20 cp Research Project Units option - Part-time

Commencing Semester 1 - 30 cp Research Project Units option - Part-time

Commencing Semester 2 - 20 cp Research Project Units option - Part Time

Commencing Semester 2 - 30 cp Research Project Units option - Part-time

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Exit Points

A student who has successfully completed the following requirements may exit from the course with that qualification.

  1. Graduate Certificate in Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation): 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.
  2. Graduate Diploma in Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation): 80 Credit Points from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.

Entry requirements

Applicants must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  1. Equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; OR
  2. A Graduate Certificate in a related discipline; OR
  3. An Australian bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) AND demonstration of significant work/life experience to satisfy the prerequisite knowledge for this course


Related disciplines

Ancient History, Archaeology, Architecture, Classics, Creative Arts, Drama, Economics, Education, English, Fine Arts, Geography, Law/Legal Studies, Media/Communications, Medieval Studies, Modern History, Modern Languages, Music/Musicology, Philosophy, Politics, International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, Study of Religions, Theological Studies, Visual Arts.

Applicants are also assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:

  1. Personal statement, or essay,
  2. Performance at interview, and
  3. Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

Entry into this course is based on a combination of a written submission (essay), an interview and academic performance. Applicants are assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:

  1. Submitted essay,
  2. Performance at interview, and
  3. Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.

English language requirements

Overall score of 6.5. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.


Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Graduates of this course may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs and/or research higher degree, doctoral programs.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$16992 CSP
$22032 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

ACU is offering Ramsay Scholarships (apply here) to students undertaking this degree, funded by the Ramsay Centre, each valued at up to $48,000 ($32,000 per year for 1.5 years when studying full time). Students eligible for scholarships will be selected by a committee, comprising senior ACU and Ramsay Centre staff.

Applicants who wish to be considered for a scholarship will need to meet the essential requirements for admission to the Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation)

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  1. Equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; OR
  2. A Graduate Certificate in a related discipline; OR
  3. An Australian bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) AND demonstration of significant work/life experience to satisfy the prerequisite knowledge for this course


and will also be assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:

  • Submitted essay,
  • Performance at interview, and
  • Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence.


Related disciplines

Ancient History, Archaeology, Architecture, Classics, Creative Arts, Drama, Economics, Education, English, Fine Arts, Geography, International Relations, Law/Legal Studies, Media/Communications, Medieval Studies, Modern History, Modern Languages, Music/Musicology, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Study of Religions, Theological Studies, Visual Arts.

Or, you could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Johanna Harris

Postgraduate Course Coordinator, Western Civilisation Program

Johanna Harris is Associate Professor in the Western Civilisation Program (North Sydney) and Postgraduate Course Coordinator. Her teaching and research focus is on the literature, religion, and politics of the early modern period, with particular interest in non-fictional prose, especially letters, manuscript culture, and puritanism. Raised in the Blue Mountains, she graduated from the University of Sydney with BA (Hons), and then went to the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar, from where she graduated with MSt and DPhil in English. Harris’ publications have focused on well-known writers such as Andrew Marvell, Richard Baxter, and Thomas Traherne, and lesser-known writers such as Brilliana Harley and Lucy Robartes. She is also interested in the ethical value of literature, particularly human dignity, bibliotherapy and the medical humanities, and the role of literature in enhancing intergenerational cohesion. 

 

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